Marietta, Ohio

Marietta, Ohio, settled in 1788, was the first place incorporated under the then-new Northwest Ordinance and therefore has a claim to be Ohio's oldest town. It's a pleasant little burg facing the Ohio River. This was the town's cargo landing. Still is, I suppose, but apparently not getting heavy use. There's no equipment for handling a significant load at the waterfront, though the Corps of Engineers has a heavy crane a couple blocks away on the Muskingum River.

Joan's sister Pam helps build these Playbouy pontoons. I'm posting this photo to show that someone appreciates her work. Shot from the deck of Marietta, Ohio's sternwheel tourist riverboat Valley Gem , out on the Ohio River.

Former B&O bridge across the Muskingum River in Marietta, Ohio; now a footbridge. The leftmost span is a turnstile. The Ohio River (and West Virginia) in the background; the barges are at the Corps of Engineers landing. Shot (of course) from the Valley Gem.

Downtown Marietta, Ohio.

It always delights me to find someone's made a home of an apparently inhospitable place.

Another view of the Harmar bridge in Marietta, Ohio; one last shot from the Valley Gem Sternwheeler before we move on to West Virginia.

The appealing young lady is Lily, the daughter of Captain J.J. Sands of the Valley Gem Sternwheeler. To quote from the Gem's website : "In 2005 ... Lily entered the world and she has been chatting ever since." Seems true. Delightful.